{"id":64797,"date":"2024-10-11T09:09:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T09:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/17f50e21-f059-4734-86b8-ce67d511f513"},"modified":"2024-10-11T09:39:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T09:39:38","slug":"aurora-alert-northern-lights-put-on-stunning-display-across-the-uk-and-are-set-to-continue-into-the-weekend","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/aurora-alert-northern-lights-put-on-stunning-display-across-the-uk-and-are-set-to-continue-into-the-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Aurora alert! Northern Lights put on stunning display across the UK, and are set to continue into the weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Iain Todd\n <\/p>

Published: Friday, 11 October 2024 at 09:09 AM<\/p>

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Displays of the Northern Lights were visible from many parts of the UK last night, 10 October 2024, causing ethereal wisps of green and red to stream across the night sky.<\/p>

The Northern Lights – or aurora borealis – have become more frequent and intense over the past year as the Sun reaches the peak of its 11-year Solar Cycle<\/a>.<\/p>

Aurora captured by Andrew Morl over Whitburn Windmill, Sunderland, UK, 10 October 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Aurora chasers are still beaming from the amazing Northern Lights display of 10 May 2024<\/a>, and last night provided another opportunity to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles.<\/p>

Many observers were able to capture images of the Northern Lights on their cameras and smartphones, such was the intensity.<\/p>

Find out how to capture a display with our guide on photographing the aurora<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>

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Northern Lights captured by Lyndsay King from Glenarm, County Antrim, UK, 10 October 2024, with an iPhone 14<\/figcaption><\/figure>

What causes aurora?<\/strong><\/h2>

Aurora displays<\/a> are the visual culmination of solar phenomena interacting with Earth’s magnetic field<\/a>.<\/p>

Charged particles emanating from the Sun \u2013 known as the ‘solar wind’ \u2013 hit Earth’s magnetic field and cause beautiful displays, such as those seen last night.<\/p>

At times when the Sun is more active, on Earth we see more frequent and more intense displays.<\/p>

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory \u2013 which observes and monitors the Sun \u2013 recorded an X1.8 flare on 8 October, and captured the image below.<\/p>

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NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory image of an X1.8 solar flare, seen as a bright flash in the centre of the solar disk, 8 October 2024. Credit: NASA\/SDO<\/figcaption><\/figure>

‘X’ denotes this as one of the most intense types of flare emitted by the Sun.<\/p>

The US Space Weather Prediction Center then recorded a ‘G5’ or ‘extreme’ geomagnetic storm late on 10 October and into the early hours of 11 October.<\/p>

The UK’s weather-monitoring service also recorded increased solar activity.<\/p>

“A fast coronal mass ejection related to a large flare and filament combination that left the Sun on 9 October arrived at Earth through the second half of 10 October and is having ongoing effects, including Severe Geomagnetic storms,” a statement from the UK Met Office says.<\/p>

“Aurora has been sighted as far south as southern England and on the Continent.”<\/p>

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Northern Lights captured by Darren Thompson, Darlington, UK, with a Pixel 7 smartphone<\/figcaption><\/figure>

What’s more, the Met Office says chances of aurora displays will continue into this weekend, although they will ease and become more confined to northern latitudes by Sunday 13 October.<\/p>

If you have clear skies forecast where you are, this weekend could be yet another opportunity to see the Northern Lights for yourself.<\/p>

Here’s our pick of the best aurora images from 10 October we’ve received so far.<\/p>

\"Aurora
Aurora captured by Andrew Morl over Whitburn Windmill, Sunderland, UK, 10 October 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Aurora
Aurora borealis captured by Andrew Morl over the seafront in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Aurora
Aurora Borealis over Hillsborough Forest Park, County Down<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
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Northern Lights over Blackburn, UK, captured by Christopher Hodgson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Northern
Northern Lights over Blackburn, UK, captured by Christopher Hodgson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Northern
Northern Lights captured by Darren Thompson, Darlington, UK, with a Pixel 7 smartphone<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Aurora
Aurora borealis over the ‘Voyager’ sculpture at Laytown beach, County Meath, Ireland, 10 October 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Aurora
Aurora borealis captured by Jared Bowens<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Aurora
Aurora borealis captured by Jared Bowens<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Aurora
Aurora borealis captured by Jared Bowens<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Northern
Northern Lights captured by Lyndsay King from Glenarm, County Antrim, UK, 10 October 2024, with an iPhone 14<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Northern
Northern Lights captured by Lyndsay King from Glenarm, County Antrim, UK, 10 October 2024, with an iPhone 14<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Northern
Northern Lights captured by Max Reilly, Downpatrick, County Down, UK, 10 October 2024, with an iPhone 15<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Northern
Northern Lights captured by Rebecca Saxton over Great Chishill Windmill, Royston, UK, 10 October 2024, with a Nikon D750 camera and 24-70mm lens<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
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Northern Lights captured by Sarah Higgs over Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK, 10 October 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>